Elfer Inc.

Maintenance Guidelines

Machinery Reliability Programs

Luis F. Rizo, PE Phone: 518-371-0683
4 Mates Way Fax: 518-371-0683
Waterford, New York 12188-1165
http://www.elfer.com

8.1 Centrifugal pumps fits and clearance checklist. Basic data

No: Measurement Tolerance
1. Ball bearing inside diameter (I. D.) to shaft. 0.0001" to 0.0007" (0.003mm to 0.018mm)
interference.
2. Ball bearing outside diameter (O. D.) to housing. 0.0001" to 0.001" (0.003mm to 0.03mm) clearance.
3. Sleeve to shaft. 0.001" to 0.0015" (0.03mm a 0.04mm) clearance.
4. Impeller to shaft. Metal to metal fit to 0.0005" (0.13mm) clearance.
Note: there are pumps such as horizontal, axial split pumps and multi-stage vertical pumps that have
interference fits. Consult your OEM manual
5. Throat bushing
a) Throat bushing to case. 0.002" to 0.003" (0.05mm a 0.08mm) interference.
b) Throat bushing to shaft. 0.015" to 0.020" (0.40 a 0.51mm) clearance.
c) The throat bushings on some vertical in-line pumps act as intermediate bearings and require closer.
clearances.
6. Impeller
a) Impeller ring to hub. 0.002" to 0.003" (0.05mm a 0.08mm interference.
The impeller ring is normally doweled or spot in at least places welded
two
b) Impeller ring to case ring clearance. 0.010" to 0.012" (0.254mm a 0.3mm) plus 0.001"
(0.03mm) per in. (25.4mm) of impeller ring
diameter up to a 12" (3,658mm) ring. Add 0.0005
(0.013mm) per inch (25.4mm) of ring diameter over
12" (3,658mm). For temp. 500 (260C) add
0.10" (2.54mm). Also add 0.005 (0.127mm) for
galling materials (stainless steel).
c) Renew impeller rings when clearance reaches twice
original clearance.
7. Case rings
a) Case rings are not to be bored out larger than 3% of
original diameter.
b) Case ring to case. 0.002" to 0.003" (0.05mm a 0.08mm) interference.
The case ring is normally doweled or spot welded at least two places.
in
8. Oil deflector to shaft. 0.002" to 0.003" (0.05mm a 0.08mm) clearance.
Install "O" ring in the ID if possible.
9. Packing gland
a) Packing gland to shaft. 1/32" (0.8mm) clearance.
b) Packing gland to stuffing box bore. 1/64" (0.016mm) clearance.
10. Lantern ring .
a) Lantern ring to shaft. 0.015" to 0.020" (0.40mm a 0.51mm) clearance.
b) Lantern ring to stuffing box. 0.005" to 0.010" (0.13mm a 0.25mm) clearance.
11. Coupling to shaft. Metal to metal to 0.0005 (0.013mm) clearance.

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12. Seal gland
a) Seal gland alignment boss to stuffing box. 0.002" to 0.004" (0.05mm a 0.10mm) clearance.
b) Seal gland throttle bushing to shaft. 0.018" to 0.020" (0.5mm to 0.51mm) clearance,
unless otherwise specified for hot pumps.
13. Seal locking collar to shaft. 0.002" to 0.004" (0.05mm a 0.10mm) clearance
14. Seal spring compression. 7/8" (22.2mm) long springs - 3/16"(4.8mm).
_" (12.5mm) long springs - 5/32"(4.0mm)
Seal spring compression. 1/2"(12.7mm) short springs - 1/16" (1.6mm)
unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
15. Rotating and stationary seal rings. Sealing surfaces to be flat within 3 Helium light
bands
16. Heads, case, suction cover, bearing housing to case 0.004" (0.01mm) maximum clearance. Use dial
alignments fits. indicator and feeler gauges to correct fit-up and
alignment.
Horizontal axial split case

1. Stationary parts fit case metal to metal to 0.004" (0.01mm) clearance.

2. Measure and inspect case fits for wear and corrosion. Repair by building up and re-machining.
3. All other repairs same as vertical radial split case pumps except: Case rings to be bored in a jig not
chucked.
4. Align element in case with feeler gauges and dial indicator. Dowel bearing housing in place after
alignment.
5. When cutting gaskets for horizontal split pumps, cut bolt hole openings on head and split gasket
lengthwise. Cut the rest of the gasket on the case with all the slack in the boltholes pulled to the
outside edges. Leave stuffing box gasket length long and trim after head has been set in place and
tightened.

OVERHUNG IMPELLER, SEPARATELY COUPLED, SINGLE STAGE, FRAME MOUNTEDi

1 Casing 18 Bearing, outboard 47 Seal, bearing cover, inboard
2 Impeller 19 Frame 49 Seal, bearing, cover, outboard
6 Shaft, pump 22 Locknut, bearing 67 Shim, frame liner
11 Cover, stuffing box 29 Ring, lantern 69 Lockwasher
13 Packing 37 Cover, bearing 71 Adapter
16 Bearing, inboard 40 Deflector 73 Gasket
17 Gland 46 Key, coupling

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Courtesy of the Hydraulic Institute Standards.
Copyright Elfer, inc. 1998, Waterford, New York
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